Fostering Links
Between Diaspora
Organisations and
Microfinance
Institutions
5 May 2008, Tunis

IVth FEMIP Conference
Tunis, May 5, 2008
Leila Rispens-Noel
Programme Officer
Bureau Popular Campaigning
leila.rispens-noel@oxfamnovib.nl

OXFAM NOVIB
Oxfam Novib is a member of Oxfam International, an
alliance of 12 Oxfam affiliates.
In 1994, Oxfam Novib joined Oxfam International, a
group of twelve independent, like-minded
development organisations that are striving to
achieve a more just world.
The Oxfams work together with a total of 3,000
counterparts in 100 countries.

Main programs to support diaspora organisations
(from the margins to mainstream)
1. Capacity building – facilitate conduct of trainings (project cycle management,
proposal writing, microfinance, strategic planning, fund raising, deepening
knowledge and understanding of development, etc.)
2. Technical and financial assistance (development projects in the countries of
origin and in the Netherlands/LINKIS front offices)
3. Support and stimulate broad alliance building of transnational networks
of migrants – national and international levels – through dialogues and
meetings
4. Influence policy making – coherency in migration and development policies
through conduct of expert meetings, workshops, debates and conferences and
ensure participation of migrant leaders in important conferences/meetings
5. Remittances and Conduct of financial literacy training (personal finance,
social investments, encourage diaspora philanthropy, link with MFIs)
6. Linking and learning / exchange visits (Past activities: educational trips to
Mexico, Philippines, Burundi, Moluccas/Indonesia, Sudan, Somalia, and
Ethiopia)
5 aims: sustainable development; education and health; peace and security; social
and political participation; and gender
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Milestones: Linking diasporas with MFIs
1) 2003 Expert Meeting: The Link Between Migration and
Development - The Netherlands
2) 2004 Expert Meeting: Bridging the Gap: The Role of Migrants and
their Remittances in Development , The Netherlands
3) 2005 Conference: The Impact of Remittances in Latin America:
Microfinance as alternative channel for remittances, Zacatecas,
Mexico (INAFI Latin America)
4) 2006 Conference on Migration and Development: Microfinance and
Remittances, Philippines (INAFI Asia)
5) 2007 Sponsored the holding of INAFI Global Conference on
Microfinance, Remittances and Development in Cotonou, Benin
6) Commissioned research and studies 2006: Engaging Diaspora by
Hein de Haas, Oxford University
7) Conducted training on Fundamentals and Methodologies of
Microfinance, Financial Literacy for Diasporas, and project cycle
management
8) Facilitated in linking INAFI, AFFORD (UK) and DFD (NL) to build
partnership.
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Possible partnership
MFIS Diaspora Organisations
Provide remittance-based products: As investors
Money transfers, micro-insurance Knowledge sharing/transfers
for migrants and families, Access loans and savings
educational and housing loans,
repatriation
Partnership with MTOs, banks Potential clients – migrants and their
families; access to credit
“Pro-poor MFIs are potentially and strategically placed to provide a
wider range of financial services than remittance recipients might
otherwise have. – Anne Hastings, Fonkoze Haiti
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Challenges of pro-poor MFIs in entering
partnership with diaspora organisations
• “Follow the money” – find out where migrants are and how they
send money home
• Financial literacy for migrants and their families
• Confidence-building (why should I send money through MFIs?)
• Tapping/connecting with established diaspora organisations
abroad
• Know their wants and needs/clear business proposals
• Engage them as equal partners
• MFIs meeting requirements (technological capacity, regulatory
framework, anti-money laundering law, Know your Customer,
etc.)
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Remittances in selected Sanabel Countries
Source: World Bank (only through official channels)
Countries 2006 Percentage to 2007
In US$ million GDP In US$ million
Morocco 5,454 9,5% 5,700
Egypt, Arab Rep. 5,330 6,0% 5,865
Lebanon 5,183 22,8% 5,500
Jordan 2,883 20,3% 2,934
Sudan 1,157 3.1% 1,157
Tunisia 1,510 5.0% 1,669
Yemen, Rep. 1,283 6.7% 1,283
Syrian Arab Rep. 795 2.3% 824
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Top Countries of Destination
Selected Countries Destination
Morocco France, Spain, Italy, Israel, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium,
USA, Canada and Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Arab Rep. Saudi Arabia, Libya, United States, West Bank and Gaza,
Italy, Canada, Oman, Australia, Israel, Greece
Lebanon USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, France,
Sweden, Brazil, West Bank and Gaza, Denmark
Jordan West Bank and Gaza, Saudi Arabia, USA, Germany, Oman,
Canada, UK, Australia, Spain, Sweden
Tunisia France, Libya, Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Italy, USA,
Switzerland, Canada, Belgium
Yemen Saudi Arabia, Israel, USA, UK, West Bank and Gaza, Sudan,
Germany, Frnace, Bahrain, Canada
Sudan Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Chad, USA, UK, Oman, Ethiopia,
Canada, Germany, Australia
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Some examples:
INAFI-AFFORD- DFD
DFD Partnership Diaspora Forum for Development
After the conference in Benin, a partnership was established
between INAFI (International Alternative Financial Institutions),
Africans for Development (AFFORD UK), and Diaspora Forum
for Development (Netherlands composed of 36 migrant
organisations representing 25 countries) in harnessing the
development potentials of remittances through:
Investments
Knowledge sharing and transfers
Financial Literacy
Capacity building for MFIs in 12 countries to provide remittance-
products and services to migrants and their families
STATUS: the three-year proposal is being proposed.
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http://www.moneytrans.be
MoneyTrans Belgium – MFI DR Congo
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FONKOZE – Haiti http://www.fonkoze.org/
Money transfer
services that allow
Haitians living
overseas the
opportunity to
transfer funds to
Haiti at a very low
cost
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GHANA: SANKOFA
• SANKOFA Foundation was founded in
2001 by Ghanian diasporas.
• Projects:
- Technical and Training Center for peasant
women who are members of Sankofa Family Poultry project (50
members and due for expansion)
Partners in Ghana: GNAFF (Ghana National Association of
Farmers en Fishermen; GAPNET
Total amount extended: Euro 145.000,00
Direct beneficiaries: 32 women Indirect: 150 women members
Entered Partnership with Rural Bank of West Dangme
www.sankofa.nl
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Filipinos in the Netherlands in partnership
with SEDPI www.sedpi.com
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THANK YOU
www.oxfamnovib.nl
www.linkis.nl
Contact:
linkis@oxfamnovib.nl
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